Scholarship Created In Honor Of Former Student Who Was Murdered

Blountstown- Wendy Byrne recounted the moment she said her heart shattered.

"We learned that it indeed was true. [Chaz Fain] had been shot and killed on campus, or actually some apartments at the spartan college" she said teary eyed.

Chaz Fain, 18 had been attending Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma when he was shot and killed at a party.

Byrne's son and Chaz, were fellow athletes, classmates and close friends. Chaz lived with the Byrne's one summer- and became like a family member. Byrne said he referred to her as, "mom".

"I'm a pretty light sleeper-get up 2 o'clock in the morning Chaz would be up watching TV. So yeah, he was a pretty big part of our family" Byrne told us.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Byrne said she felt like she needed to do something. So, she and Blountstown High Athletic Director, Greg Jordan started the Chaz C. Fain Memorial Scholarship Fund through Bank of America in Blountstown.

"It will be awarded to a Blountstown High School graduating senior who has varsity lettered in at least one sport for two years because, Chaz was so into athletics. And that [the candidate] has shown they want to do something more with their life post high school" Byrne explained.

And the entire community has rallied around the cause. Everett Hayesand his wife own Big River Sports in Bristol.

"I didn't know the kid personally" Hayes said, "but my son has played football against him and with him. From everything I can find out about him he was just an exceptional kid."

He and his wife have been making t-shirts- more than 50 as of Thursday- and donating them for Byrne to sell to raise scholarship money.

"We're looking the next batch to make enough for the whole Blountstown and Liberty school system."

"Chaz was a wonderful young man who wanted so bad to make something more of his life" Byrne said. "I think he was the first in his family to go off to college. I'm praying we can just turn this tragedy into something positive and help someone else out. That's what Chaz would want. He would definitely want us to go out and help others."

T- shirts are $ and can be ordered at Blountstown High, Big River Sports in Bristol, or through Byrne directly, at: (850) 209-4695. Checks should be made payable to the Chaz C. Fain Memorial Scholarship Fund.

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